Members of the United Methodist Church gave more money than expected to the church's budget in 2001, causing church officials to be "overjoyed" at the giving in spite of national tragedies and a sluggish economy

Christian Century, Feb 27, 2002

Members of the United Methodist Church gave more money than expected to the church's budget in 2001, causing church officials to be "overjoyed" at the giving in spite of national tragedies and a sluggish economy. Total giving in the UMC reached an estimated $171.3 million, a 2.1 percent increase over the budget approved in 2000 by the church's General Conference.

That figure includes $17.5 million raised for relief efforts in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The unexpected surplus is one of the brighter spots for the church, which like many religious groups has faced budget woes in recent months. Last October the church's missions agency cut staff by 20 percent and spending by $6 million when its stock portfolio plummeted in the weakening economy.